What are Neurotoxin Injections?
Neurotoxin literally means a toxin damaging to the nervous system. All neurotoxin products that the beauty industry utilizes are made from the same substance – Botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium is found naturally in lakes, soils, and forests.
Out in its natural environment, it is pretty much inactive and non-toxic. However, when its toxin is released in an anaerobic environment (meaning without oxygen), it becomes one of the strongest poisons known to man, and can cause botulism and in some cases even death.
You don’t have to worry though – medical and cosmetic Botulinum toxin is pure and inserted in very small, diluted amounts, by certified professionals who know how to handle it.
Botulinum toxin is used in medicine for treating certain neuromuscular disorders, as well as in the beauty industry. Once injected into the muscle, the toxin blocks nerve signals that are traveling to the muscles, which causes a reduction in muscle activity. This smooths out the skin that contained wrinkles before the injection, and the effects last until the toxin is fully absorbed.
What are the most popular Neurotoxins?
The great four are Botox, Dysport and Xeomin. They are all different trade names of the Botulinum toxin substance. The name, of course, isn’t the only thing that sets them apart. They all have some unique features that make them more suitable for one treatment or another.
- Xeomin – Xeomin is a “naked” type of Botulinum toxin meaning it is a pure toxin without any coating proteins. The body will not create resistance to it, no matter how many times it is used throughout the year.Xeomin is a pure Botulinum toxin without coating proteins that all the other Botulinum toxin injections contain. It goes through a unique manufacturing process that results in this highly purified neurotoxin without any accessory excipients. This makes it possible for people allergic to some substances of other neurotoxins to undergo a Xeomin procedure to treat wrinkles. It also minimizes the risk.
- Botox – Botox injections don’t need any special introduction. After all, it’s the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment in the entire world! It has become so popular and widespread across the globe that people use the word “Botox” to talk about other brands on the market. Some people will tell you that they underwent Botox and that “their doctor used Dysport, which is a type of Botox”.
- Dysport – Dysport is a Botulinum toxin product whose primary use is the treatment of glabellar lines – also known as frown lines, the vertical lines between your eyebrows. Its defining feature is that it has the tendency to spread. This is both a good and a bad thing. Good, because it will give you a more natural look, and bad, as it can make it easier for the toxin to spread where you do not want it to end up.
How Do Neurotoxins Work?
Do you know that there are 43 muscles on the human face? Every time you speak, smile, frown, sniff, or exhibit any facial expression, these muscles move. But as they move, the skin above them moves too, and gradually this will lead to the creation of wrinkles and lines.
Once a Botulinum toxin product is injected, it stops neural signals that are traveling from the nerves to the muscles. Left without the instruction to move, muscles will become stiff, and the skin covering them will soften and smooth out and after a few days, you’ll notice that your lines have become dramatically less visible.
What are the differences between Botox and fillers?
- Botox works to reduce the appearance of lines that are visible when you are smiling, frowning, or squinting and stops new ones from forming. Fillers treat deeper lines and wrinkles that are present even when the face is at rest.
- Botox reduces muscle movement, fillers plump and fill the skin while replacing and stimulating the production of collagen.
- Botox injections will show results in 3-5 days and will last approximately 3-6 months. Fillers provide instant results and can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.
How Is The Procedure Performed?
All Botulinum toxin products used for treating wrinkles and fine lines are injected in a quick and relatively painless procedure.
Neurotoxin injections are administered by an authorized medical professional. You won’t need anesthesia, but your doctor or PA may apply a numbing cream to numb the area he or she will treat. The toxin will then be injected in the areas earlier determined and marked with a pen. This shouldn’t cause any pain – you may feel slight discomfort, mainly pressure from the injections.
There is no downtime for the neurotoxin injection procedure. You will probably feel you can resume your normal daily activities right after the procedure.
You should refrain from touching or rubbing the treated areas for several hours afterward, as it can cause the toxin to spread. You will notice the first results within two to ten days.
What Can Neurotoxin Injections Treat?
- Forehead Wrinkles
- Eyebrow Lift & Cat Fox Eye Lift
- Glabellar Lines: These are the frown lines found between your eyebrows.
- Under Eye Wrinkles
- Smoker Lines
- Bunny Lines
More Advanced Aesthetic Uses:
- Lip Flips
- Neck Band Lift
- Face Slimming
- Underarm & Palm Sweating
- Lazy Eye, Spasm, and Eye Twitch: Botox targets the muscles responsible for asymmetric eye position, spasms, and contraction of eye muscles.
- Acne Breakouts: If you suffer from advanced acne, a tiny amount of Botox will reduce the oil production which is the primary cause of your breakouts.
Pre- Treatment Instructions:
It is prudent to follow some simple guidelines before treatment by reducing some possible side effects associated with the injections; this can make all the difference between a fair result and a great result. We realize that this is not always possible; however, minimizing these risks is always desirable.
AVOID alcoholic beverages at least 24 hours prior to treatment (alcohol may thin the blood increasing the risk of bruising).
AVOID anti-inflammatory/blood thinning medications ideally for a period of 2 weeks before treatment. Medications and supplements such as Aspirin, Vitamin E, Ginko Biloba, St. John’s Wart, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Vioxx, and other NSAIDS are all blood-thinning medications and can increase the risk of bruising/swelling after injections.
Schedule the Neurotoxin appointment at least 2 weeks prior to any special event which may be occurring: i.e., wedding, vacation, etc.
Post Treatment Instructions:
The guidelines to follow post treatment have been used for years and are still employed today to prevent the possible side effects of ptosis (eyelid droop). These measures should minimize the possibility of ptosis in almost 98% of the cases.
No straining, heavy lifting, or vigorous exercise for 2-3 hours following treatment because we don’t want to increase circulation to that area (this washes away the Neurotoxin from where it was injected). It is now known that it takes the toxin approximately 2 hours to bind itself to the nerve to start its work. This waiting period continues to be recommended by most practitioners.
You must remain upright for four hours following treatment.
AVOID manipulation of the area for 3 hours following a treatment (for the same reasons listed above). This includes not doing a facial, a peel, or a microdermabrasion after treatment with Neurotoxins. Any of these procedures can be done in the same appointment only if they are done before the Neurotoxins.
Facial exercises in the injected areas are recommended for 1 hour following treatment (to stimulate the binding of the toxin only to this localized area).
It can take 2-7 days to take full affect, and in some cases up to two weeks. It is recommended that the patient contact the office no later than 2 weeks after treatment if the desired effect was not achieved.
Makeup can be applied before leaving the office. Retin-A, Glycolic Acid, Vitamin C, and Kinerase can be used; however, you must avoid the area treated with Neurotoxin for 24 hours.
Contraindications can be but are not limited to:
- Plan on getting pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are allergic to Botulinum toxin, have had an allergic reaction to other Botulinum toxin products, or are allergic to any of the other ingredients of the product
- Have a neuromuscular disease
- Have an active infection
- Have skin problem.
If any of the above apply to you, or if you have any other medical conditions please talk to your medical professional to determine whether you are a candidate.
Potential Risks/ Side Effects:
The majority of patients who receive Botox / Dysport / Xeomin injections will experience mild, normal side effects from the injectable.
However, these products are drugs after all, and all drugs can cause side effects. The most common possible side effect of Botulinum toxin products is bruising at the site of injections. Some patients get headaches that will resolve in 24-48 hours.
Other, more serious and possibly life-threatening side effects include:
- Allergic reactions (itching, swelling, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, shortness of breath, tiredness, weakness, or dizziness or feeling faint)
- Infection (fever, chills, cough, pain with passing urine, pain in ears or sinuses, mouth sores, wounds not healing)
- Muscle pain or weakness
- Eye irritation, eye pain, or change in eyesight – double or blurred vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Difficulty in swallowing, speaking and breathing
- Seizures
- Heart problems (irregular heartbeat or heart attack)
- Blood in the urine
- Loss of bladder control
- Change or loss of voice
- Low mood
- Trouble speaking
- Nausea
- Bleeding (in case the doctor injects too deep and hits a blood vessel).